Happy New Years Eve to you all! This 2012 holiday season is just about to come to a close. I have had so much fun attending holiday parties, decorating for Christmas and celebrating with friends and family this holiday season. Check out some of my favorite moments from this past Christmas. 

My siblings and I went over to my grandparents house to decorate our yearly gingerbread houses. I think we might have gone a little overboard on the candy this year. But I did have a great final product!

Got all the family on my dad's side of the family together on Christmas Eve Eve to celebrate and exchange presents.

Here are my sister, brother and I after the Christmas Eve service at our church.

And come Christmas morning we had some delicious reindeer pancakes that my sister made for everyone before we dove into all the presents under the tree.

This was such a wonderful Christmas holiday and I can't believe it is over. There is still one more thing to celebrate this holiday season though! What are you doing tonight to ring in the New Year? I'm off to go get ready to countdown to 2013! 

Happy New Year!!

xoxo
Megan

p.s. ~ Have an idea you would like me to do a post about? Let me know! Share what event topic or party idea you would like to see me blog about in the comments section below. You never know what might show up in 2013!! 


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I can’t believe that 2012 is almost over. This year has just gone by so quickly! With all these holidays on Tuesdays I decided to switch this week up a little bit and share my Tuesday Ten post with you today! So here are ten of my favorite posts from 2012. If you missed any from this past year this is the perfect time to catch up! Enjoy!!

1. Red, White and Blue Memorial Day Cupcakes

2. Top Event Trends for 2012

3. Weekend Recap: Bachelorette Party

4. Weekend Recap: Emily & Nathan's Wedding

5. Bridesmaid Thank You Gifts

6. Event Money Saving Tips Series (Week 1; Week 2; Week 3; Week 4)

7. Pretty in Pink Bridal Luncheon

8. Tuesday Ten: Tailgate Essentials

9. Tuesday Ten: Table Numbers

10. Holiday Party Crafting with Wine Bottles

There have been so many great posts this past year! What has been your favorite Preppy Planner post from 2012? 

Have an idea you would like me to do a post about? Let me know! Share what event topic or party idea you would like to see me blog about in the comments section below. You never know what might show up in 2013!! And so you don't miss another Preppy Planner post make sure to sign up for the email list by clicking here. Enjoy the rest of 2012!!  

xoxo
Megan

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There are only a few more days left until we countdown to 2013. Here are some great NYE party ideas that can help you ring in the new year. So pull out those party hats, wind up those noise makers and get ready to pop that bottle of champagne as you start the countdown!

At most every party you will find appetizers, snacks and an over flowing bar. After you have already slaved away in the kitchen for Thanksgiving and Christmas this holiday season it is finally time to take a break from the kitchen. Here is a simple menu that you can serve at your NYE party.

Menu
- Onion Dip with Chips
- Pistachios 
- Baked Brie with Crackers
- Hummus and Veggies
- Cheese Straws
- Christmas Dessert Goodies (anything that was gifted or left over is perfect!)
- DIY Cocktail Bar

Each of these items can easily be prepared ahead of time and require no more than 10-15 minutes of prep. Right before the guests arrive pull out all your prepared items and serve each dish in nice bowls or on platters for a picture perfect New Year’s party spread. All your guests will think you slaved away prepping for this party.

While all your guests are waiting to countdown to the new year have a few fun games and activities set out that everyone can play. Classic board games like Apple to Apples, Left Right Center, Mad Gab, Fact or Crap, and Pictionary are games that all your guests can take part in. I have always found that after one or two cocktails these games can get quite hysterical to play!

And when it gets closer to midnight it is officially time to break out the countdown party basket. Hand out the party hats, noise makers, confetti poppers and the glasses of champagne to all your guests so that everyone can countdown to the New Year in proper party style.

3, 2, 1. . . Happy New Year!! What are you doing this year to celebrate the countdown to the New Year?

xoxo
Megan

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Now that Christmas has come and gone there is one last big holiday season event left, New Years Eve. And what could be a better time to gather all your friends together and celebrate a wedding than on this traditional night of partying? New Years Eve is a great date for a black tie, full of sparkle wedding event. Are you ready to count down for this wedding theme?

A solid palette of black and white with the accent of sparkles is the perfect NYE wedding color palette. As with any NYE party you can never have too many sparkles. Find linens that shimmer, use silver and gold rimmed plates and glasses, and add edible glitter to your desserts for the perfect sparkle. To top off all that shines have all your guests use sparklers when you leave the wedding or reception. 

When it comes to hosting a wedding on NYE you can’t go wrong with incorporating the traditional NYE party hats and noise makers. A great way to hand out these party favors is by using them as the escort cards. Tie a tag onto each noise maker for the guests to pick up when they arrive at the reception.

And you can’t forget about the midnight countdown. Instead of having a champagne toast during the wedding have servers pass around mini champagne bottles or glasses for all your guests to toast in the new year. Or if you are really good at planning combine both the wedding toasts with the countdown to the new year. An additional surprise for all your guests could also include a confetti or balloon drop to ring at midnight.

Let the countdown to 2013 begin! What do you think about this New Years Eve Wedding? Happy Holidays!!

xoxo
Megan

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Christmas is almost here! One tradition that my siblings and I take part in every year is decorating gingerbread houses and cookies that my grandmother bakes. We have been doing this since I can remember. Now that my sister is a teacher my grandmother even makes houses and cookies for all her students each year.

So you can take part in some gingerbread fun here is a great gingerbread cookie recipe from Martha Stewart. To make these cookies you will need:
        - 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus some extra for rolling
        - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
        - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
        - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
        - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
        - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
        - 1/4 teaspoon salt
        - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
        - 1/3 cup packed dark-brown sugar
        - 1/3 cup molasses
        - 1 large egg
        - decorating icing, sprinkles and other candy

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, spices, baking soda, and salt; set aside. With an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in molasses and egg. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients; mix just until a dough forms. Place dough on floured plastic wrap; pat into an 8-inch square. Wrap well; chill until firm, 1 to 2 hours.

Step 2: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Divide dough in half. Working with one half at a time (rewrap and refrigerate other half), place dough on floured parchment or waxed paper; roll out 1/8 inch thick, turning, lifting, and flouring dough (and rolling pin) as needed. Freeze dough (on paper) until firm,
about 20 minutes.

Step 3: Loosen dough from paper. Cut out shapes, and transfer to baking sheets. Decorate with sugar or sprinkles, as desired. **To keep your edges neat and tidy dip the cookie cutters into flour before cutting the cookies.

Step 4: Bake until firm and edges just begin to darken, 10 to 18 minutes, depending on size. Cool completely on baking sheets.

This is one tradition that I will always love during the holidays! Do you have a favorite holiday tradition that you take part in each year? Happy Holidays!!

xoxo
Megan

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I made both of these crafts for my office holiday party that is today. They are both budget friendly crafts and easy to customize based on the party’s color palette. Let me know if you try your hand at making either of these wine bottle crafts. I would love to see your end results! Do you have a favorite holiday craft you like to make? Happy Holidays!!

xoxo
Megan

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For those that love the holidays creating a red and green wedding is the perfect solution. It always amazes me how many Christmas themed wedding decorations and ideas that I find this time of the year. Some are so cute that I wished they could be used year-round. So get into the Christmas spirit with this Christmas inspired red and green wedding!

When it comes to the decorations just stick with the traditional Christmas garland, wreaths, red berries and holly. They can serve as great table runners, centerpieces, give the room a wonderful Christmas scent and after the wedding you can use them to decorate your home. This red and green tablescape is a perfect example.

I know that these are not red and green, but how adorable would it be to hang up bride and groom stockings, like these from Personal Creations, at the wedding reception? These could be on the back of their chairs, hanging at their table or at the gift table to collect any cards.

Ornaments are great to use in your wedding design. Use red and green ornaments for your place card and guest favor. On the attached tag put their table seat on one side and the date with a cute note on the other. Now all your guests will have an ornament to decorate their tree and remember your big day!

And of course you can’t forget the small details of the wedding. Sprinkle small red and green details throughout the wedding. Between the napkin holders, drink selection, desserts, flowers and the cake a little Christmas will go a long way. Candy canes, peppermints, berries, red roses and red and green ribbon can turn any traditional wedding item into a Christmas themed delight!

What do you think about this red and green Christmas theme? Happy Holidays!!

xoxo
Megan

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Just one week left until Christmas is here! You can never start preparing for the holidays too early in my mind. For me and my family Christmas always includes lots of family events including Christmas Eve dinner at my parent’s house and Christmas day dinner at my grandparents. Preparing for these events in between all the other Christmas events going on over the next week just doesn’t leave you much time. So to help make sure you don’t forget anything for your Christmas dinner here is my list of Christmas Dinner essentials.

1. Christmas China. You can’t have a true Christmas dinner without your Christmas dishes. My favorites are these from Spode. They are just so festive!

2. Christmas Glasses. You need something to hold all of that holiday cheer! From wine glasses to water glasses you can never have too many available during the holidays. I am loving these 12 Days of Christmas wine glasses from Overstock.com. You won’t even need to use glass charms!

3. Christmas Linens. What would a Christmas dinner table be without holiday linens. Find festive Christmas napkins, placemats, and table cloths to deck out the table setting. This is an adorable one from Pottery Barn Kids that would be perfect at any Christmas table.

4. Christmas Utensil Holders. For me utensil holders are just a fun excuse to craft during the holidays. Try making these adorable holders from Stamp with Heather for this year’s holiday table. 

5. Christmas Poppers. My family can’t pass up on the use of poppers during the holidays. We always enjoy the funny hats, little toys and jokes that came in these festive poppers.

6. Christmas Centerpiece. At our house we usually display the gingerbread houses that we decorate during the holidays. This is also a great time to get a little crafty for your Christmas dinner. This one was at the UVA Holiday open house I went to.

7. Christmas Music. While your guests are arriving and snacking on appetizers before dinner it is also very festive to have some holiday music playing in the background. Here is a holiday playlist that will have everyone singing along!

8. Christmas Cocktails. When it comes to the holidays the traditional eggnog is the first thing that comes to my mind. After that you can get everyone’s favorite wine, beer or other tasty beverage. There are always some fun season beverages in the stores that make for a fun treat for a holiday get together. Better Homes and Gardens has a great recipe for making a cup of traditional eggnog.

9. Christmas Cookies. What would a Christmas meal be without some Christmas cookies. Homemade or store bought always make for a fun snack after Christmas dinner. Don’t forget to save some for Santa too! Try making these peanut butter reindeer cookies this year!

10. Christmas Dinner. When it comes to Christmas dinner there is no right or wrong menu. Every culture and family has a different traditional Christmas meal. All I know is that just like Thanksgiving there is always a lot of food no matter what you decide to make.

What are some of your family’s traditions when it comes to the Christmas dinner? Christmas is getting closer so start your planning now! Happy Holidays!!

xoxo
Megan

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